How are politics and society interconnected in the Middle East and North Africa? In this module you will engage with various social and economic themes, and gain a wide-ranging perspective from which to analyse the political and social life of the region. Particular emphasis is placed on the nature and causes of conflict and political violence, and on the role of the relations between state, society, and the international community. The module is comparative in its essence and seeks to locate the MENA region within a global context, demonstrating how international trends and development affect the region, and the region may affect these. You will learn about sectarian relations, political economy, authoritarianism and democracy, religion and politics, demographics, and the role of social media in protest movements.
Seminars 16, Workshop 16
The module is optional for the following courses
MA International Relations
MA International Relations and International Law
MA International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
MA Security and Terrorism
MA Peace and Conflict Studies.
Also available as an elective module
Extended writing. Assessment Details: Essay 3,000 words worth 50%.
Extended writing. Assessment Details: Policy Briefing 3,000 words worth 50%.
Reassessment Method: Like for Like
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices. The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Identify and interpret key features of politics in the Middle East
2) Undertake high-level analysis of core concepts, theories and debates relating to the outbreak and resolution of political conflict
3) Apply theories from comparative politics and other related disciplines to studying the MENA region
4) Advance a richer understanding of the different disciplines in the social sciences by relating the concepts and findings of studies of MENA politics to core debates within the discipline at an advanced level
5) Articulate and present empirically grounded and conceptually engaged arguments, drawing on and situated in relevant academic debates.
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